davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-09-28
Finch Catching in Holland.

Finch catching during October and
November is a favorite amusement all
day long of Dutch sportsmen who have
"tinch houses" Jacqueline drove us,
therefore, early, through green tree tun-
nels, whence sandy copse paths diverged,
into the heart of the downs, where the air
was fresh and stiffness great. Putting
up the coureuse at one of the picturesque
little farms scattered here and there
mostly of bright painted brick, with a
broad black stripe along the base and
then a white one-we walked through
sandy potato clearings and coppice till
we came to level lawn before wooden
hut. A dozen green hutches on stands
contained the cages of as many tinches,
singing trillingly-all the better it was
supposed that these poor little prisoners
were blinded! There was turfed bank
behind the cages, hiding a grass alley be-
yond, with nets laid on either side, while
down the middle hoped deccy fnches
tied by the leg to bent wires. We now
inspected the hut close by, most hospita-
bly, welcomed by its owners, who had
come to see that all was prepared feS the
seasons sport. The hut was cunningly
constructed, half open for air, yet screened
by a breastwork. Midmost was the
fowler's chair, before glazed peep holes
in the wall facing the grass alley, and
with net ropes attached on either hand.
As the great migratory focks of fnches
land on these dunes in October and rest
in the copscs, they are lured by the sing
ing decoys into the alley where their
kind are hopping. They settle down to
chat. The nets are drawn over them and
their necks promptly wrung. On the
walls q score was painted of many years
sport. Last season, 1888, 4,425 fnches
were caught in this finchery alone. There
are se7srai others here.-English Naya-
zine
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-09-28
Temperance News and Notes.

The w. C. T. U. of East London, England
employs lady to visit those who sign th'
pledge and to attend the police court.
Father Didier, Of St. Vincents Parish,
Baltimore, complains that the saloons crowd
his very church doors and dole out alcohol
to his members.
The National Committee Of the Prohibition
Party will meet in Chicago November 10th,
to fix the t1Iuc and place of the National
Nominating Convention of 1888.
Rev. Dr. Haygood delivered twenty-seven
addresses for the prohibitory amendment, and
preached four sermons in twenty-five days,
during the late campaign in Texas.
The Dallas (Texas) Prohibition Advocate
says: "If the negroes and foreigners had
been left out and Texas alone had voted,
prohibition would have carried the day."
How we spend our money: Missions, S5,'
000,O00; public education, SS5,OOO,OOO; sugar
and molasses, $780, 600; boots and shoes,
S196, 1000; cotton goods, S2lQ, ,OOO, ,OO0;
lumber, S23S, 900 900; woolen goods, S2S7, >
600, 900; iron and steel, $500, ,0OO, 900; meat,
$500, 900, 900; tobacco, $3.50, ,OO0, goo; bread,
500, ,OO0,0o0; liquors, 5000 100000.
Mrs. j. NJ. Cramer, of Chico, Cal, has
squandered handsome fortune in the past
two years through ec Incorporate habitS
Two and half years ago her husband died
and she sought relief from grief in the wine
cup. Recently her friends had guardian
appointed for the remnant of her property,
which was found to foot up only $4,000 in
cash. Last April she visited OroVille, went
on prolonged debauch and was sentenced to
thirty days in the workhouse before her
identity was discovered.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-09-28
CompOsing-RO0m HumOr.

Just as much of tho humorous character
as has ever been gathered together and
published by "fllnny men" graduates
from composing rooms and has been kept
from the columns of newspapers, because
after the laugh the jokes created they
have been almost forgotten. But few
of the decidedly rich things that have
been "got off {" in composing rooms by
the men who have regulations in their
sphere rs workmen are well worth record
ing.
While wcll-known foreman of the
New York PDst composing room welded
authority there some twenty years ago
he now having post at foreign station
under the Government-he was ac-
credited with running the office with a
shorter allowance of type than any other
man as foreman would have thought
possible or wonld have had the temcrity
to do. He was constantly besieged for
"sorts," and his policy was the occasion
of much vitupcration piled upon his head
when he was not present. One day
"sub" in the office was seen, toward the
end of composition hours, crawling about
the floor and picking up type. He was
asked by the joker of the room:
"What are you doing, Jack"
"I'm trying to get type enough to
finish this take that's what I'm doing" !"
said he, in a rather disgustcd tone.
"Well, what sorts do you want2 What
are you short off,"
81 want some his"
"Go over there under No. 19's frame.
He's an Englishman. He drops them, !"
was the comforting reply Chicago
Times
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-09-28
A Curious Siamese Custom.

Among many curious customs peculiar
TO Siam none is more remarkable than
that which prescribes that when q ban
quet is given, not merely the menu,
but O. fac simile of the various plates
themselves, is to be previously submitted
to the King. A few weeks ago q new
hotel was opened at Bangkok, and the
occasion was celebrated by sumptuous
banquet. The Bangkok Times, record
ing the event, adds that, according to
the old Siamese custom, on an opening
day, his majesty, the King, received,
some three days before the banquet, q
fac simile of the dinner served that eve
ming. 1t consisted of eighteen dishes;
which were all sealed up and dispatched
to the palace by an officer who came
down to take charge of them.-Rochester
IN ~ Herald.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-09-28
AnInteresting Relic.

Eight years before Columbus discov-
cred America an old Portuguese sailor
named Diego Cam went cruising down
the coast of West Africa until he came to
a great river on whose south bank he set
up big white stone and carved an in
scription upon it celebrating its discov-
cry. 1t was the mighty Congo, and for
many years the famous Pedra Padrao
stood on the old sailors achievement:
Years later, when all eyes were turned to,
the new world, the Congo had been
almost forgotten, and when it next at
tracted notice the Pedra Padrao had dis
appeared. The spot where it stood has
for centuries been known as Padrao
Point. Three or four months ago Baron
Won Schwebin, the Swedish traveller,
heard from some natives of large fetch
stone hidden iq the tall jungle grass at
some distance from the beach. 1t was
only after long palavers with the chiefs
that he obtained permission to visit the
revered object. He found to his delight
the veritable Pedra Padrao, its we'll
known inscription only partly ettaced.
The famous monument OF q great discov-
ery will doubtless be treasured hereafter
as one of the most interesting relics OF
the early navigators. .-Mw York San.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-09-28
An Arrow That HIT.

A correspondent sends us the following
Renaissance of the Rev. DR.. Gardiner Spring
that is exceedingly characteristic Of that re-
markable man:
Let ME tell you of peculiarly solemn re-
mark made by the lamented DR.. Gardiner
Spring. pastor for more than half century
OF the Old Brick church, venerable etGi6ce
invitation to Christian strangers ION com
munion Sunday in the summer Of 19oIi tore
main and partake of the eucharist.
The glorious ambassador Of Christ was o
tail yet well-proportioned old gentleman OF
very dignified but kind address. He had q
magnificent conception Of the "Glory OF
Christ" Us is still manifest to all who
read his volumes Of sermons on that topic,
and when he invited people to partake OF the
holy communion, his manner indicated his
high appreciation of that Christian priyi-
lege. After extending the invitation very
affectionately to all who loved the Lord, and
deprecating the withdrawal Of any, he added
these words: "Nothing in the world could:
tempt me to turn my back on that table,"
That expression and his solemn sincerity
went like an arrow 10 my heart. Though q
convert, had not yet come out on the LORDS
side by church covenant; but in that good
hour resolved to delay no longer to unite
with God's people by public profession of
faith. The next communion III the Old Brick
church found me a humble participant in
that remembrance of our crucified Lord; and
it 50 ouickened my interest in his cause that
I became Sunday-school teacher, tract dis
tributor and for several years. a voluntary
visitor in downtown precinct of the Society
for Improving the Condition of the New
York Poor. Later, was privileged to hold
religious services in hospitals and almshouses'
and kneel in prayer with prisoners in their
cells the last in the Eastern Penitentlary,
Philadelphia, where was an official visitor.
That priceless zeal in the Masters cause at
made on my conscience by Rev. DR.. Springs
words, and the profound veneration for the
holy communion with which they inspired
me.IN. Y. Observer.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-09-28
A Professional Ball Players Day.

The average players daily life while
on a trip may be cpitomized thus: He
rises at 8 o'clock or thereabouts, has
breakfast, and reads the account of the
previous days game in the papers, prals-
ing the reporter or otherwise, according
as is agreeable to his ideas or not. Then
he visits friends or rides about the city
or does as best suits him till lunch time,
when he is ready for u substantial meal,
after which he smokes good cigar till
time to dress for the game, which is gen
orally 80 o'clock. He spends a couple
of hours playing ball, then back to his
hotel, where he arrays himself in his best
suit, puts on his diamonds, eats q good
dinner, and is free again till 2:3O o'clock
the next day. There is legend to the
effect that the players must be in bed by
II o'clock. Chicago Mail.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-09-28
PigeOn-Flying.

The chief home of pigeon-hying in
Europe is Modena, where it has been
popular from time immemorial. 1t is
managed in much the same way as in
India. The dovecots at Modena are on
the roofs of the houses, and their owners,
when flying their pigeons, stand I, on a
little platform which surrounds them.
Pigeon-Hying there is regular game.
A skillful player trains his pigeons to fly
together in troop, and, by whirling
round in circles, to confuse the pigeons
of other players until one or two Of them
get separated from their respective flights
and lost among his. He then signals his
own pigeons to return, when they bring
the stray pigeon with them. AS the me
sport is at present practlced, captives arc
redeemed for small sum each; but Tor
merly the prisoner used to be publicly
hung from the platform Of the con-
QIlerOr.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-09-28
Alcohol is Poison.

A noted physician says: "We put drop
of alcohol into mans eye; it poisons it. We
try it upon the lining Of the living stomach;
again it poisons it. We study after death the
stomach of drinking men, and find alcohol
produces in regular stages redness, intense
destruction of parts, utter ruin. We study
its influence upon the health and strength OF
sailors and soldiers, and find it helps to freeze
them in the arctic regions and exhaust them
in the tropics We watch two regiments in
India, one with and the other without grog,
and are driven to the conclusion that even
moderate quantities of alcohol weaken the
muscles and break the endurance. We visit
the training ground of oarsmen, pedestrians.
and nriZe-fighters, and learn everywhere the
srme lesson-alcohol is apoison to the muscle
op5 tho brain y
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-09-28
WORDS or WISDOM.

TriAes make perfection, but perfection
is no trife.
knowledge of our duties is the most
useful part of oar philosophy.
Do not imagine thing is simple be-
cause you happen to think it is.
Our actions must clothe us with On i'm
mortality, loathsoms or glorious.
Iron endurance and accomplishing re-
nunciation are the two poles Of human
force.
1t is shallowness that decides instantly
that always thinks it bnows what it IS
about.
Those who blow the Goals Of Others
strife may chance to have the sparks fly
in their faces.
He is truly great that is little in HIM
self, and that makcth no account of any
height Of honor.
When the. forenoons of life are wasted
there is not much hope of peaceful and;
fruitful evening
Be courageous and noble-minded; our
own heart. and not other mems opinions
of US formour true honor.
To aim at tho. hearts excellepces, with
out seeking the spirits agency, is u de-
lusion anda dangerous dream.
Seek to'conMcrse in purity with your
own pure mind and with God. The first
and highest purity is that of the soul.
The poet Tennyson has his motto in
incrusted tiles. on the pavement of the
hall: "The truth against the world"
Humility is, the: first lesson we learn
from reflection, and, self distrust the first
proof we give of having obtained a.
knowledge of ourselves
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-09-28
Lisbon Streets.

There is plenty Of life IN animation on
the streets; peasants in black jackets,
bell-shaped trousers supported by red
sash, and wonderfully pointed shoes,
fog their gayly decked overladen mules
over the uneven pavement; handsomely
dressed officers lounge about the doors of
the cafes; sturdy Galician porters, the
hewers of wood and drawers of water for
the leisurely Portuguese, stagger along
under their heavy burdens; tramcars with
three or four mules abreast rattle past at
every moment. Bright-eyed children
poster you necessarily to buy tickets for
the lottery, in which you can speculate
for the low sumof threepence; and horse
men in tawdry picador costume canter
about the streets, sounding bugles and
scattering handbills to announce the
programme for the next bull fight.
All the squares and modern streets are,
planted with. trees; and at every available
spot in the town public garden has been
laid out, with fountains surrounded by
hedges of cactus and aloes, and wealth
of roses, arums and geraniums, growing
half wild around palm trees, acacias and
bananas. In fact, the only neglected
piece of ground in Lisbon is the great
open space in front of the Kings palace
at Belem. It is grass grown in ruts and
holes: it's few stunted trees are encircled
by broken and unpainted wooden guards;
the road connecting it with the center
of the town is equally uncared for. The
land belongs to the municipality, whose
representatives decline to spend money
upon it, in order to advertise the vigor
of their republican sentiments; the King
stands on his dignity and refuses to do
the work of the municipality; and thus
the state approach to the royal residence
at Belem remains disgrace to the capi-
tai of Portugal Chicago Times.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-09-28
TEMPERANCE.
The Golden Grain.


Golden waves the grain glissening In the sun,
Covering sM tbs plains. food for every one.
Shining falls the grain meath the reaper's
hand,
Like golden rain making glad sheland.
Precious stands the grain in fat sheaves dis
played,
Waiting for the wain,. shence to be conveyed
Shall it go for bread, making millions strorg3
Or for drink instead, doing millions wrsngf
Brewery and still rob it Of its life,
Turn its good to Il-ministT Of strife.
God the Blessing gives, man the bane suppliesT
By the bread he lives, by the drink he dies
Be the golden grain free as vital air;
But the liquid bane drive out everywhere!
YOUTHS Temperance Banner:
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-09-28
MONKEYS Opening Oysters.

Mr.. Alfred Carpenter, of the Marine
Survey office, Bombay, has observed
Macacus monkeys on the island off South
Burmah opening oysters with a stone.
They bring the stones from high-water
mark down to low-water, selecting such
stones as they can easily grasp. They
effect the opening by striking the base
of the upper valve until it dislocates and
breaks up. They then extract the oyster
with the finger and thumb, occasionally
putting the mouth straight to the broken
she'll. The way they have chosen is the
easiest way to open the shell.-Argonant.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-09-28
Indian Publishing House.

The remarkable publishing house OF
Munshi Newal Kishore, in Lucknow, has
no rival in the civilized world, except,
perhaps, Able Migne's great publishing
establishment in Paris. The publisher Is
a Mohammedan, but keeps his religious
preudices in the background. He prints
school-books, scientific treatises, sacred
works for the Hindoos, editions OF the
Koran, and voluminous commentaries 1or
his fellow-worshippers in the Sanskrit,
Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Bbrashe, and
English languages. His "pook agents
arc to be found not only IN oil the Sreac
Hindoo centres of population, but IN the
East Indies, among the AfShana, IN Ie-
heran, Constantinople, Cairo, and in the
Soudan.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-09-28
a Coroncr's Evidence.

Mr.. n. c. Whyte, Coroner Of Dublin, says:
"The Jurors over whom preside with Chris
tian charity riably-where they are not
forced to do otherwise by the evidence
render verdict of Death by natural
causes Heart disease and Sc forth; and
therefore the Registrar Generals report is
made out that way Now, say this ad-
ysSedly and after full consideration of the
sub set, that in an experience of twenty
Years have known of not single homicide
Committed in this city that was not the direct
result of drink And / will also add: OF all
the unfortunates that 1 have known to DO
nall gee penses Gt the aW S their
dnct was exemplary. They were not men
naturally @ criminal, but. by indalging in
drink, they brought themselves to their sad
condition"
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-09-28
probibition Failure"

1t appears that prohibition in Iowa fails to
keep up the supply of penitentiary convicts,
and that the contractors of prison labor at
Fort Madison are much embarrassed thereby.
The Iowa Register says of them that they
say they are losing eight thosand dollars
year because the State cannot 1urnlsh theiil
with the number of convicts it contracted to
furnish" Let the failure Of prohibition " IN
Iowa be again proclaimed l-NationaI 1ens-
DeTdnce -Aduocdte. -
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-09-28
RELIGIOUS READING.
The Law of Love.

Dig channels for the streams of love,
Where they may broadly run;
And love has overfowing streams
To fill them every one.
But if, at any time, thou cease
Such channels to provide,
The very founts of love to thee
Will soon be parched and dried.
For thou must share, if thou wouldst keep
That good thing from above;
Ceasing to share, you cease to have,
Such is the law of love.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-09-28
Dpunkenness Abroad.

When so many less momentous subjects
aUs the topic for discussion in international
and colonial congresses, it is gratifying to
Learn that We have at length such congress
for the consideration Of inebriety, or what
we prefer to call drunkenness. DR.. Norman
Kerr delivered the opening address Of the
first meeting at the Westminster Town Hall.
1t islamentable to find that in all civilized
countries this vice, or, as the Congress pre-.
fsrS to call it-this diseases so prevalent.
The most educated nations-Scotland,
Germany, France-are as deeply affected as
Others; and, what is sadder still, they are the
most blameworthy IN carrying the materies
demoralized and destroyed by drink.
Ouruwn colonies are drinking badly. Men Of
authority and medical experience say that in
Australia our fellow subjects drink far be-
yond anything in this country, and beyond
their'own potations twenty years ago. Chew
alier Max Proskowetz de Proskowmarstorf
stated atthe Congress that in Austria drunk
enness was increasing everywhere. on danger
GUS SCALE Dr.. Petithan, Of Liege, reported
alcoholism in. Belgium to be Incl easing with
frightful rapidity- Everywhere there are
temperance reformers and noble men who set
q splendid example Of sobriety and self de-
NAL. The leaders Of medicine everywhere
by their pathological and medical studies de-
monstrats' the injury done by alcohol to the
essential organs Of the body-beart,. liver,
kidneys, brain and bladder. What IS to be
done against adisease so deep and vice so
fascinatinga
Dr.. T.. b. Crethars thinks that in the
United; States the time is not far distant
when the. drunkard will be taken from his
home and: from the street and quarantined
in special hospitals The inadequate hibitual
drunkards' bill of our own country is about
to expire, and q few weak attempts at
strengthening it are to be made But these
are not radical remedies. Another sugges-
tion at the Congress was that school children
should be taught the effects of drink on
health and national welfare. This is to be
commended Mere general intelligence Is not
so much safeguard as might have been e1-
pected. Specific information drilled into the
young Of all the European schools seems,
loudly called for.
The medical profession can do much.
Statesmen and royal families have a great.
responsibility brought home to them by
Canon Farrar in heavy Indictment in this,
months Contemporary Rerie,O, entitled,
Africa and the Drink Trade" which IS sad;
reading for the countrymen of Livingstone
and Stanley. England, Germany-especlaly
Germany-and the United States, the chief
representatives of that religion Of which
Claiming said, "Christianity is the mighty
power before which intemperance is to fall"
are pouring rum and other spirits into Africa
as fast as their heartless traders can do. ii,
without restraint from their rulers at home,
and against the piteous cry Of the hapless
people and chiefs of the county, who feel that
It will destroy them, and that it IS a. worse
curse than the slave trade, which our fathers
did so much to e1terminats-LondonL Lancet
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-09-28

OF cot:on-sccd oil mills there were in
1879 only forty in the South. In 1886
there were 146, and the capital employed
in them had increased from $s, 504, 500 tc
$40, ,79e, $50. Of the 100000 tens o.
seed AMI ually grown. only 400, COO toas a't
yet made into oil.